Taiwan Flags About 1,900 Chinese Vessels for Monitoring

Intermediate | February 10, 2026

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Chinese Vessels Monitoring: A New Watchlist at Sea

Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration (CGA) says it has stepped up Chinese vessels monitoring and has put about 1,900 Chinese vessels on a monitoring list after China’s military exercises near Taiwan. The concern isn’t only warships. Officials say some vessels include fishing boats and ships flying “flags of convenience”—meaning the ship registers under a different country’s flag, which can make ownership and intent harder to track. (Taipei Times)

Why the Number Grew So Fast

According to CGA Deputy Director-General Hsieh Ching-chin, Taiwan’s initial list started at about 300, but expanded to around 1,900 as officials tracked ships linked to the drills. The Taipei Times reported that the CGA used information referenced in reporting from outlets like The New York Times and Defense News to help identify vessels connected to the exercises. (Taipei Times)

The “Wall of Ships” Idea

Defense News reported that satellite and tracking analysis (citing IngeniSPACE data) showed China gathered roughly 2,000 ships northeast of Taiwan and arranged them into a 466-kilometer, L-shaped formation—a kind of floating barrier that could signal blockade practice. The same reporting described a mock blockade lasting about 30 hours in one exercise. If that sounds extreme, that’s because it is: a large swarm of “civilian” vessels can create pressure without firing a shot. (Defense News)

Undersea Cables: The Quiet Vulnerability

Taiwan is also watching ships near undersea cables, which carry critical communications. After legal amendments to Taiwan’s Commercial Port Act and Law of Ships, officials said the CGA can designate berthing areas or deny port calls for vessels suspected of loitering near places where cables could be accessed. One specific trigger mentioned: if a freighter slows below 5 knots within about 1 kilometer of “cable alert zones,” an alert can be sent and the ship can be warned away, with coast guard vessels ready to respond. (Taipei Times)

For extra context on why cables matter (and how countries try to protect them), see this background from the (Global Taiwan Institute) and this report from (Reuters).

Why Taiwan Cares About “Gray-Zone” Pressure

The bigger worry is what analysts often call gray-zone tactics—pressure that stays below the level of open war. The Taipei Times report warned that China’s maritime militia could become a nontraditional threat in a crisis: clogging shipping lanes, acting as decoys, and complicating outside support. In plain English: Taiwan doesn’t just have to watch missiles and jets; it has to watch “normal-looking” ships that could be used for military goals. For Taiwan, Chinese vessels monitoring is now part of everyday national security. (Taipei Times)

Vocabulary

Monitor (verb) – to watch closely over time.
Example: “Taiwan plans to monitor about 1,900 vessels.”
Flag of convenience (noun) – registering a ship under another country’s flag.
Example: “Some ships used a flag of convenience to hide ownership.”
Loiter (verb) – to stay in an area without a clear reason.
Example: “Officials worry about ships loitering near undersea cables.”
Designate (verb) – to officially choose or assign.
Example: “The CGA can designate berthing areas for certain vessels.”
Deny (verb) – to refuse permission.
Example: “Taiwan can deny a port call to suspicious ships.”
Undersea cable (noun) – a cable on the ocean floor carrying communications.
Example: “Undersea cables carry most international data traffic.”
Trigger (verb) – to cause something to start.
Example: “Slow speed near a cable zone can trigger an alert.”
Formation (noun) – an arrangement into a shape or pattern.
Example: “The ships formed an L-shaped formation.”
Blockade (noun) – stopping ships or goods from entering or leaving.
Example: “A blockade could disrupt Taiwan’s energy and food supplies.”
Gray-zone (adjective) – actions that fall between peace and war.
Example: “Gray-zone pressure can be constant and difficult to respond to.”

Discussion Questions (About the Article)

Why did Taiwan create a monitoring list of about 1,900 Chinese vessels?
What is a “flag of convenience,” and why does it matter?
What does the 466-kilometer “wall of ships” suggest about China’s strategy?
Why are undersea cables such a sensitive issue for Taiwan?
What do you think is the biggest challenge in responding to gray-zone tactics?

Discussion Questions (About the Topic)

Should countries treat “civilian-looking” vessels as a security threat? Why or why not?
What rules should exist to protect undersea cables internationally?
If a ship is flying a flag of convenience, should ports require extra checks?
How should small countries protect themselves against much larger neighbors?
What risks do blockades create for global trade and supply chains?

Related Idiom

“Read the room” – understand the situation and react wisely.

Example: “Taiwan is trying to read the room at sea—spotting unusual ship behavior before it turns into a bigger crisis.”

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This article was inspired by: Taipei Times, Defense News, Global Taiwan Institute, and Reuters.